Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 285 - 286  

HENRY H. LOUDENSLAGER, one of the early pioneers and self-made men of Park Township, located on section 18, where he now resides, in the spring of 1871. He came to Southern Kansas almost literally without means, and by the exercise of his resolute will and persevering industry, has built up one of its most creditable homesteads. He took up eighty acres of Government land over which a plowshare had never passed, and in due time effected the improvements necessary to the complete country home, and which now forms one of the pleasing features in the landscape of that section. His straightforward methods of doing business and his value as a member of the community, have gained for him a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who have watched his career with interest and are not slow to acknowledge that he is deserving of all the good that has fallen to him. 

     Our subject first opened his eyes to the light in Juniata County, Pa., on the 7th of November, 1841. His parents, Samuel and Hetta (Row) Loudenslager, were also natives of the Keystone State, and still continue residents of Juniata County, having arrived at the ages of seventy-three and sixty-seven or sixty-eight years, respectively. Their family consisted of eleven children, of whom eight are living, namely: Louisa, the wife of John E. Rogers, of Pennsylvania; Henry H., of our sketch; Joseph, of this county; Ephraim, of Huron County, Ohio; Samuel, of Park Township, this county; David; Susan, the wife of Joseph Wert, and James, the three latter of Pennsylvania. 

     The early life of our subject was spent after the manner of most farmers' sons, his education being carried on in the district school. After the outbreak of the Rebellion he identified himself with the State Militia, with which he remained connected a year and then entered active service, enlisting in Company K, 34th Pennsylvania Infantry, for a term of three months, but not being required to participate in active service. Upon his discharge he resumed farming in his native county, and on the 7th of January, 1864, was united in marriage with Miss Susan B. Smith, who at that time was a resident of Juniata County, Pa. 

     Mrs. Loudenslager was born in Mifflin County, Pa., Jan. 7, 1847, and is the daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Carstatter) Smith, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father is deceased; the mother is now in Pennsylvania. Soon after their marriage, our subject and his wife settled in Huron County, Ohio, where they remained, however, only one season and then, homesick, returned to Pennsylvania. Mr. Loudenslager carried on farming there until 1871, and finally decided upon a removal beyond the Mississippi. Upon reaching this county he located at once upon his present land, where from the primitive soil he has effected the improvements which have made it one of the most desirable farms in the township. It is unencumbered and he has invested a part of his surplus capital in property at the town of Maize and in the city of Wichita. He commenced in earnest his stock operations in 1875, and feeds and ships annually a large number of cattle. 

     The seven children of our subject and his wife were named respectively: Emma B., now the wife of Lewis B. Dotson; Ada, Cora H., Hetta, Cline, Lewis and Murray. Mr. Loudenslager, politically, affiliates with the Republican party, and has held various local offices. Both he and his excellent wife are members in good standing of the Congregational Church at Maize, of which Mr. Loudenslager was one of the founders, and where he officiates as Deacon.

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